Holidays and travel
Advice
Going on holiday and travelling in the target country is a great way to provide opportunities to practise your language skills. You can use the target language from the moment you arrive at the airport until the time you leave. When planning your trip make sure that you can do some of the following in the target language:
At the airport
- give your name, address and occupation to the police
- state how long you intend to stay and what you are going to do
- explain what you have in your case to the customs officials
In the taxi
- say where you want to go
- check the price
At the hotel
- give your name and say that you have a reservation
- ask where the restaurant is
- ask what time breakfast is served
At the restaurant
- ask for the menu
- order a meal
- order your drinks
- ask for the bill
There is nothing like a trip abroad to motivate somebody to learn a language. Quite often people book a holiday abroad and then feel the need to brush up their language skills before departure. If you want to motivate one of your children to learn a language or to try harder at school, a trip abroad could act as a strong stimulus or as a reward.
One word of warning, however. If you travel as a family, or group of friends, and stick together most of the time, you'll reduce your chances of interacting with native speakers.
Links
About Travel Ltd, All aspects of holidays in Holland; information about the culture of Holland
Anglers World Holidays, Fishing in Holland
Cycle Tours Holland, Cycling holidays in Holland
Eusearch4you.com, Adventure holidays in Holland; written in Dutch and English
Jet2.com Short breaks in Amsterdam
North Holland Tourist Board, Dutch language, events, camping holidays, self-catering, general information
Winspiration, All aspects of travel to Holland; also some associated language and ideas of things to see